Tuesday, 22 November 2016

The Black-crowned Night Heron

 
 

The Black-crowned Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax  feed at night, mostly on fish and crustaceans squid, water insects and frogs in the water, and on land they will eat birds eggs, earth worms, insects, toads, lizards snakes and rodents, which is quite a varied diet.
 

The sexes are similar in appearance, although the male is slightly larger.
 

Their resting posture is somewhat hunched, but when hunting they extend their necks and look more like other wading birds.
 

A closer look at this red eyed, tri-coloured bird, which I think is most attractive with it's long white head plumes.
 
I have just discovered that their scientific name Nycticorax means night raven, refering to this species nocturnal habits, and crow-like call. I am linking up with Stewart, at Wild Bird Wednesday, Eileen at Saturdays Critters, and Anni, at The Bird D' Pot and if you would like to join in the fun, just click on the links to see other birds and critters from around the globe. br /> WILD BIRD WEDNESDAYS
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS
I'D RATHER B BIRDIN

30 comments:

MadSnapper said...

both sexes are beautiful and your phots are wonderful of them.

Debbie said...

it is a beautiful bird, one i have only seen once! i enjoyed reading about him/her, fun facts. i would imagine fishing and finding food at night would be difficult but if everyone else is sleeping = no competition!!

gorgeous images, i really enjoyed the details in the close-ups. he sure does have a little "alpha" action going on there!! if i don't see you again, happy thanksgiving!!!!

matti niilola said...

Wow. I like that heron very much. It´s so beautiful.

John's Island said...

Hi Breathtaking, These are wonderful pictures! That last one is just stunning! Thanks for sharing!

Linda said...

Your photos are absolutely stunning! Thank you so much for sharing, you may have started photography later on in life but you have definitely mastered it, and I appreciate your talent and gorgeous photos. :)

sami niilola said...

Wow. The mighty bird. Greetings.

Gosia said...

looks so tired

Christine said...

Hello! These are wonderful images of this marvellous bird! His eye quite piercing and his plumage so unique!
He really is quite formidable!
Thanks for sharing your great photos!

Lowcarb team member said...

Such lovely photo's of this bird, which as your images show does sit in a somewhat hunched position.
Thanks for sharing them

All the best Jan

Mike Attwood said...

Cracking shots of a bird I am yet to meet. Well done Sonjia. Take care.

The Furry Gnome said...

Awesome pictures of the Night Heron!

susan said...

wonderful shots

LEN said...

Where did you spot this night-bird and how? Were you on the Algarve? Wonderful photography, however you achieved it.

Breathtaking said...

Gosia K

I think you would look tired if you had been awake all night!!!:))

Teresa said...

Las fotografías son preciosas y el ave me gusta mucho. Besos.

♥ Łucja-Maria ♥ said...

Thank you very much for your visit and left a comment.

Your pictures are excellent. I love birds but I can not shoot them.
You're doing it perfectly.
Greetings.
Łucja

Gatepost productions said...

I think I'd stand hunched on that diet!

Great photographs! I'd love to paint some of your photographs sometime if that's OK?

Wendy said...

A bird I didn't know, so I've loved looking at your beautiful photos of them

hmuxo said...

Wonderful photos Sonjia!!! As always your photography is amazing!!!!!

Helma said...

Really beautiful.
The Black-crowned Night Heron is a special appearance but you is he more in the Netherlands. You have this really was able to shoot super nice. My compliments :-)
A hug

Phil Slade said...

Those are lovely pictures Sonjia. I managed to catch up with them in Menorcaa this year when we saw five or six in broad daylight. of course being daylight the herons did nothing but sit motionless in lakeside trees all the time we were there. Oh well, better luck next time.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

We've seen this bird a couple of times now here in Florida and it's always a thrill. Beautiful photos! Hugs!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, this is one of my favorite herons. Great captures of the Black Crowned Night Heron. They are beautiful.

Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!

Rajesh said...

Fantastic shots of night heron.

Anni said...

I too like to see the head plumes, but so often they're laying flat when I try to get photos. You did a perfect job...great portraits today!!!!

I appreciate your participation this week at I'd Rather B Birdin'. Thanks for stopping by for a visit and linking!!

Nathailes SANTA MARIA said...

Très jolie série de ce petit héron très discret.
Bravo

NatureFootstep said...

wow, really great images of the nightheron. The best I have seen in a long time. Thanks for sharing :)

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

It's a fascinating bird with the coolest name in the world!
~

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

They are wonderful birds. We see them sometimes when we're in in Florida, but never here in Oregon. Thnk you for your kind comments on my blog. My hands are healing. I can use the stylus with my left hand and that works pretty well. I make a lot of mistakes though.)

orchid0324 said...

Dearest Sonija; Wow, wow your photographs of Black-crowned Night Heron are REALLY fantastic and for me who can only see blue heron, this gorgeous birdie is so attractive ♫♫♫ Yes,I was facinated by its red eyed, tri-coloured with long white head plumes(♡^.^♡)

Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in Portugal, xoxo Miyako*

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